Elevator



1,686,825 H. C. LISLE ET AL ELEVATOR Filed April 27, 1927 mmimqwmsw ODflieg',

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 9, 1928.

UNITED STATES CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

PATENT OFFICE.

H. LEWIS, OF SAN JOSE, SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, A.

ELEVATOR.

Application led April 27, 1927. Serial No. 186,850.

Our invention relates to elevatorsof the fluid pressure operated type,in which the platform is mounted directly upon the movable member orplunger of the actuatlng mechanism.

In such devices', it is common practise to provide a xed cylinder with aplunger operable therein, the upper end of said plunger extendingthrough packing atthe top of sald cylinder and supporting the platform.

When the plunger and platform are elevated, the polished surface of saidplunger is exposed, and, bein necessarily reasy, may collect a coating osand or other oreign substances, which, upon the subsequent lowering ofthe plunger, cut and wear both the packing and the polished surface ofthe plunger.

Elevators of this characterl are commonly used to lift automobiles olfthe ground, to enable their running gear and under parts to be washed orotherwise worked upon, and in such washing it is almost impossible toprevent sand and dirt from being deposited upon the exposed polishedsurface of the plunger. In some cases solvents or caustic solutions areused in such washing, Which have a deleterious action on the surface ofthe plunger.

The principal object of our invention is to provide an elevator of thedescribed type in which the polished surface of the plunger, i. e. thatsurface which comes in contact with the packing, is protected from thedeposition and wearing action of foreign matter, to the end that theeffective life of both packing and plunger may be greatly prolonged.

A second object of the invention is to provide a construction which willpermit the platform to be turned, horizontally, when elevated. A stillfurther object is to provide for the read removal of the entiremechanism from t e foundation well in which it is placed.

Although our invention is particularlytrated, may be varied, within thelimits of the claims hereto appended, without departing from the spiritof the invention as set forth in said claims.

A preferred embodiment of our invention will now be described fully withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a verticalsection of our complete elevator.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional detail o1 a modified construction forpermitting the turning of the platform while elevated.

In the drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates a concrete wellextending downwardly from the ground or Hoor level 2, and forming thefoundation for the device. A cylinder 3 of light sheet metal lmay beused as an inner form or lining for said concrete. 4 is a base platesecured within the bottom of the well l. 5 is a tubular member providedwith a foot 6 adapted to rest upon the base 4. We prefer to provide asuitable bearing between the tube 5 and the base 4, of such a nature asto permit said tube to turn. One form of such a bearing is shown in Fig.1, the meeting faces of the foot 6 and the base 4 being conical andformed to fitaccurately together, as shown at 7.

A second tube 8, which constitutes the reciprocating part or plunger ofthe device, surrounds the tube 5 in spaced relation. The upper end ofsaid outer tube is closed, and is attached to the lifting platform, aportion of which is shown at 9. Between the inner and outer tubes areguide rings 10, secured to the inner tube, and upon which thev outertube slides. One such ring is positioned near the top of the inner tube,and another at a point somewhat above the upper limit of travel ofthebottom of the outer tube. Suitable packing, preferably in the form ofa cup leather 11, is positioned immediately above each guide ring.

The operating fluid is introduced and discharged through a pipe 12,provided with a suitable controlling valve indicated at 13. This pipemay be embedded in the concrete of the well 1, as shown, and isconnected with a passage 14 formed in the base 4, and said passageregisters with an aperture 15 in the foot 6, whereby the fluid may enteror leave the inner tube 5. It will be seen that introduction of fluidunder suitable pressure into the inner tube 5 will cause the outer tube8 and the platform 9 to rise.

A suitable cover plate 16 isv provided to` tubes, the outer tube being afree sliding fit therein. A light packing may be provided at 18, merelyto protect the guide bearing 17.

The only polished surfaces are the inside of the outer tube 8 and theoutside of the guide rings 10, and such surfaces, as well as the packingrings 11, are entirely protected. The bearing 17 is merely a guide, andis not exposed to the fluid pressure. The outside of the tube 8,therefore, need not be polished. The bearing 17 is protected by thelight packing 18, which can be easily renewed, but even if not soprotected, the wear upon said bearings caused by the intrusion of grittymatter from above is of small consequence.

The platform 9 can be easily turned, even when elevated, the inner tube5 turning upon its bearing 7 in the base 4. If desired, a bearing may beprovided between the platform and the outer tube 8, instead of thebearing 7 at the base of the inner tube 5. Fig. 2 shows a preferred formof such bearing, 19 being a flanged cap secured upon the upper end ofthe outer tube 8. The platform 9 is provided with a ball-race 20, and isrotatably held upon said cap 19 by an annular collar 21 also providedwith a ball-race 21. Bearing balls 22 in said races provideanti-friction bearings between the platform 9 and the cap 19.

The entire device with the exception of the base 4 and the fluid supplypipe 12, is removable from the well 1, the foot 6 of the inner tube 5merely resting upon said base 4. The weight of the tubes and platformare sufficient to prevent leakage of the Huid at the bearing 7.

1. An elevator comprising a base; a longitudinally fixed inner membersupported for rotation thereupon; a longitudinally movable tubesurrounding said member and provided with a closed upper end; packingmeans between said member and said tube; and means for introducing fiuidunder pressure between the inner member and the closed upper end of saidtube.

2. An elevator comprising a base having a fluid passage extendingthrough it; a longitudinally fixed inner member rotatably supported uponsaid base and provided with a fluid passage communicating with thepassage in said base; a longitudinally movable tube surrounding saidmember and provided with a closed upper end; packing means between saidinner member and said tube; and means for introducing fluid underpressure into said tube through the passages of the base and the innermember.

3. An elevator comprising a permanent receptacle forming a well; a basein said well having a fluid passage extending through it; alongitudinally fixed inner member and an outer tube longitudinallymovable relatively to said inner member, and forming a fiuid receivingchamber between them, said inner member being rotatably supported uponsaid base and having a fluid passage connecting said chamber with thepassage of said base; and means for supplying fluid to the passage ofsaid base.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification.

HOWARD C. LISLE. FRANK H. LEWIS.

